CVE-2022-21715: Codeigniter4/framework Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7528-7jg5-6g62
CVSS 5.4
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-21715 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.4) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Codeigniter4/framework libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves cross-site scripting vulnerability in codeigniter4. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.1.8.

CVE-2022-21715 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-21715
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7528-7jg5-6g62
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.4
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Codeigniter4/framework
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.4

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2022-21715

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Codeigniter4/framework dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

codeigniter4/framework fixed: 4.1.8
Upgrade codeigniter4/framework to 4.1.8
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

inspect dependencies for codeigniter4/framework

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2022-21715, inspect your project dependencies for Codeigniter4/framework:

inspect dependencies for codeigniter4/framework

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Codeigniter4/framework in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.1.8), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. In Codeigniter4/framework, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was found in `API\ResponseTrait` in Codeigniter4. Attackers can do XSS attacks if you are using `API\ResponseTrait`. ### Patches Upgrade to v4.1.8 or later. ### Workarounds Do one of the following: 1. Do not use `API\ResponseTrait` nor `ResourceController` 2. Disable Auto Route and [Use Defined Routes Only](https://codeigniter4.github.io/userguide/incoming/routing.html#use-defined-routes-only) ### References - [Cross Site Scripting (XSS) Software Attack | OWASP Foundation](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/xss/) ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in [codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4](https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/issues) * Email us at [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/blob/develop/SECURITY.md)

CVE-2022-21715 Affected Codeigniter4/framework Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
4.1.8
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
codeigniter4/framework
Packagist
< 4.1.8
4.1.8

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-21715?
CVE-2022-21715 is a security vulnerability in Codeigniter4/framework involving Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in CodeIgniter4 under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Codeigniter4/framework versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 4.1.8 across affected packages: codeigniter4/framework.
What version fixes CVE-2022-21715?
Upgrading to 4.1.8 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is codeigniter4/framework affected?
Yes, codeigniter4/framework is affected in releases prior to 4.1.8. Upgrade your dependency to 4.1.8 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-21715?
CVE-2022-21715 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-21715?
CVE-2022-21715 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check Packagist dependencies for CVE-2022-21715?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for codeigniter4/framework'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-7528-7jg5-6g62",
  "modified" : "2022-01-31T21:46:37Z",
  "published" : "2022-01-27T15:09:00Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-21715" ],
  "summary" : "Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in CodeIgniter4",
  "details" : "### Impact\nCross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was found in `API\\ResponseTrait` in Codeigniter4.\nAttackers can do XSS attacks if you are using `API\\ResponseTrait`.\n\n### Patches\nUpgrade to v4.1.8 or later.\n\n### Workarounds\nDo one of the following:\n1. Do not use `API\\ResponseTrait` nor `ResourceController`\n2. Disable Auto Route and [Use Defined Routes Only](https://codeigniter4.github.io/userguide/incoming/routing.html#use-defined-routes-only)\n\n### References\n- [Cross Site Scripting (XSS) Software Attack | OWASP Foundation](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/xss/)\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Open an issue in [codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4](https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/issues)\n* Email us at [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/blob/develop/SECURITY.md)\n",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "codeigniter4/framework"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.1.8"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/security/advisories/GHSA-7528-7jg5-6g62"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-21715"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/codeigniter4/CodeIgniter4/commit/70d881cf5322b7c32e69516aebd2273ac6a1e8dd"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://codeigniter4.github.io/userguide/incoming/routing.html#use-defined-routes-only"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/codeigniter4/framework/CVE-2022-21715.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/codeigniter4/framework"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-01-24T22:20:42Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-01-24T20:15:00Z"
  }
}